Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour has sparked a legal battle, with two renowned movie stuntmen, Theo Morton and Douglas Robson, suing for £200,000. The dispute centers around 18 seconds of footage from the 2017 film 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle', where Sir Elton John made a cameo appearance. The stuntmen claim they were not properly compensated for their performance in this clip, which was used in the backdrop of Elton's farewell tour, becoming the highest-grossing concert tour in history.
The case highlights the complex relationship between movie stunt performers and the use of their work in other media. Morton and Robson, known for their appearances in 'Game of Thrones' and 'Dunkirk', argue that their performance rights were violated. They were engaged by MARV Bespoke Productions Limited, owned by Matthew Vaughn and Claudia Schiffer, for their roles in 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle'. The contract, according to their barrister, Jonathan Moss KC, entitled them to a percentage of royalties from the film and any 'new use' of their footage.
However, the company's defense, represented by Tom Cleaver, argues that the stuntmen had already signed over their rights to the footage and that MARV played no part in licensing the use of the clips for the tour. Cleaver emphasizes that the use of the clips in the show was not a 'new use' and that the company was not responsible for seeking consent or paying royalties.
The judge, Melissa Clarke, must decide whether MARV authorized the use of the clips, whether the company was obligated to pay the stuntmen, and whether the clips constituted a 'new use' of the footage. The case raises important questions about the rights of stunt performers and the boundaries of contract law, especially in the context of high-profile events like Elton John's farewell tour.
This legal battle underscores the challenges faced by stunt performers in securing fair compensation for their work, even when it is used in highly successful and visible projects. As the case unfolds, it will provide valuable insights into the legal protections and obligations surrounding the use of performance footage in various media.
